49ers’ Goldson seeks long-term contract

After delivering two straight Pro Bowl seasons, Dashon Goldson would like the 49ers to provide something in return: security.

San Francisco’s safety made it clear Tuesday that he has no interest in receiving the one-year, franchise-tag designation for the second straight season. Goldson, 28, who will be a free agent, hopes to work out a long-term deal in the offseason.

One of the NFL’s most ferocious tacklers, he has played on one-year contracts the past two seasons. Goldson earned $6.2 million under the franchise tag this past season. If tagged again in 2013, he would earn $7.45 million, 120 percent of his 2012 salary.

“I think I’ve done what I’ve had to do to deserve a second (long-term) contract, period,” he said. “The franchise tag, it’s cool. It’s not that bad with the money, but everybody wants security. In the job that I do, and the position I play, there’s a lot that comes with the territory. Security is something that you want at my position, for sure.”

Somewhat surprisingly, Goldson had an advocate Tuesday in Jim Harbaugh, who is typically tight-lipped regarding players’ contract situations. Goldson has played in 30 straight games and has nine interceptions since 2011, tied for the sixth most in the NFL. He was a first-team All-Pro this past season.

“He’s somebody that I think that you reward,” Harbaugh said. “Plays every game. Can find the ball. You know that he’s out there. And opposing offenses know that he’s out there. And he tackles and does everything that you’d want a safety to do.

“And, yeah, I feel like you reward those type of people. Who do you reward if you don’t reward those type of people?”

Since 2010, the 49ers have signed a host of headline players to lucrative contract extensions. That group includes linebacker Patrick Willis, tight end Vernon Davis, linebacker Ahmad Brooks and linebacker NaVorro Bowman, who signed a five-year, $45.25 million extension in November. Each player is signed through at least 2015.

“I think those guys that they got the deals done with deserve them,” Goldson said. “NaVorro is a great player. I think he deserved what he got. It was like a little, like, ‘Wow, OK.’ But I had to think about what was more important and that was this team and getting to the Super Bowl.”

Goldson hoped to land a long-term deal last year, but handled his disappointment professionally, reporting for the start of training camp and signing his franchise tender. He was asked if he had more reason for optimism this time.

“Nah,” he said. “I’ve been in this situation before so I’ve learned how to stay focused on what I have to do. Don’t get your hopes up because you don’t want to be disappointed. I think I did my part. Handled my situation on the field.”

Harbaugh said Goldson would be a priority in the offseason. And fellow Pro Bowl safety Donte Whitner hopes the front office shares Harbaugh’s view.

“The players know we need him,” Whitner said. “I know the coaches know we need him. I don’t know how everybody else feels about that. If we want to keep this thing together and we want to make another run at it, we need to keep the good players, keep the Pro Bowl players we have here.”